Right this moment I wish to share my London itinerary for 9 days with you. It is a nice period of time to see the highlights of the UK capital and discover just a few locations additional afield. No matter you’re concerned with or obsessed with, you’ll discover no scarcity of how to fill your time in London and expertise every part from the large points of interest to the locations locals love spending time in.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
One in all my favourite issues about being knowledgeable journey blogger helps folks plan their journeys. Whether or not it’s by my weblog posts or my journey planning providers, it brings me pleasure to know my readers and followers could have a richer expertise in London or overseas.
Lots of people ask me “is 9 days in London sufficient?”, and the reply is sure. Right this moment I wish to share the official A Girl in London itinerary for 1 week and a pair of days within the UK capital.
I’ve shared a lot of London itineraries earlier than, and I hope you’ll discover this one as useful as you’ve discovered the others. You’ll be able to check out my 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for extra inspiration.
There’s no proper or improper strategy to spend your time within the metropolis. My journey itinerary has a mixture of the most important London landmarks and the spots locals frequent.
You’ll be able to tailor the itinerary to suit your private model, however I hope it provides you a very good overview of what the UK capital has to supply guests. You should use my London journey information to fill in any gaps and discover issues in your particular pursuits as effectively.
You’ll be able to see extra itineraries and discover additional particulars in Frommer’s London Day-by-Day. You may get it on Amazon right here. It has detailed day by day guides and many images. It’s sufficiently small to slot in your pocket, too.
The place to Keep in London
When you want a spot to remain when you’re on the town, there are many choices for lodging in London. Whether or not you wish to base your self in a lodge or residence, town has an abundance of locations on provide.
Given town is big, I like to recommend selecting a location in or close to Zone 1. You’ll be able to see my weblog posts about one of the best space to remain in London, one of the best resorts in your model, and quirky resorts for concepts. I’ve even written about pubs with rooms.
You can even discover offers and guide lodging in London right here. With so many selections, you’re positive to discover a place you like.
The way to Pack for 9 Days in London
When you’ve determined when to return, it’s important to pack for London. Relying what time of yr you go to, that can imply various things.
I’ve written packing lists for summer season, autumn, winter, and spring that may assist you to determine what to put on in London. I’ve additionally created a common packing listing of issues to convey all yr.
When you’re flying to town, you may check out my long-haul packing listing and my information to pack with only a carry-on for extra suggestions (I used to be interviewed by The New York Instances concerning the latter).
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
After you’ve arrived and settled into your lodging, there’s no higher place to begin a visit to the UK capital than Buckingham Palace.
You’ll be able to time your go to to coincide with the Altering the Guard ceremony (you may see the calendar right here), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from the large gates.
In case your journey takes place in the course of the seasonal opening, you may tour Buckingham Palace. It’s a good way to see the state rooms and gardens when you’re in London. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here (you’ll have to guide effectively prematurely).
After visiting the palace (or seeing it from exterior) you may meander by St James’s Park. The park is beautiful with its gardens and fountain, and there are nice views from the bridge over the water.
From there it’s a brief stroll by Horse Guards Parade to Whitehall and Parliament Sq. in Westminster. This place is house to a few of the metropolis’s most beloved landmarks, together with Elizabeth Tower and its bell, Huge Ben.
You’ll additionally discover the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey right here. If in case you have time and inclination, you may tour the abbey and parliament. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
You can even go on my free self-guided Westminster stroll if you wish to see the world past the large points of interest. It’s going to take you to a few of the aspect streets and hidden areas locals spend time in.
When night comes, I like to recommend having an informal dinner close to the place you’re staying. When you’re feeling jet lagged otherwise you needed to get up early to journey, you’ll probably be drained.
You’ll be able to see my suggestions for eating places in London in case you need assistance discovering a spot.
When you do have vitality left, you may take an open-top bus tour to get a really feel for town’s sights. It’s a enjoyable strategy to get an outline of what London has to supply as you kick off your journey. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
Day 2 in London: South Financial institution & the Metropolis
The subsequent morning you may proceed your London itinerary for 9 days by exploring the South Financial institution. Proper on the Thames, it’s the best spot to walk round, browse the markets, and absorb the scene alongside the water.
You’ll be able to experience the London Eye when you’re right here as effectively. It gives a few of the greatest views within the UK capital. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here (you’ll have to guide effectively prematurely, because it sells out).
There are all the time pop-ups, avenue performers, and different leisure right here, so it’s enjoyable to meander alongside the Thames and see what’s on when you’re on the town.
As you make your approach from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll cross Tate Trendy. This well-known artwork museum is a well-liked place to go to, and the truth that it’s free means it’s simple to go in for as lengthy or little as you wish to. There are spectacular views from the upper flooring as effectively.
Not far-off, you’ll discover Borough Market. London’s most well-known meals market, it’s the best spot to seek out culinary inspiration and get one thing for lunch. It’s enjoyable to stroll round and absorb the colours and smells of the stalls earlier than making a choice.
After lunch on the market, you may walks throughout London Bridge to get to the Metropolis of London. Don’t miss the views of Tower Bridge on the way in which.
From the eye-catching dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to up to date viewing platforms just like the Sky Backyard and Horizon 22, this a part of the UK capital comprises plenty of outdated and new structure.
If you wish to, you may go on my free self-guided Metropolis of London stroll to see the highlights. It’s going to take you round to see the hidden historic streets and locations like Temple.
If not, make your approach over to the Tower of London. You’ll be able to take a tour to see the White Tower and the crown jewels in case you’d prefer to, or simply admire the fortress from the surface. You’ll be able to guide Tower of London tickets right here.
Afterwards you may stroll over to Tower Bridge. This inspiring feat of Victorian engineering is without doubt one of the hottest landmarks in London. You’ll be able to stroll throughout it, or head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
For dinner, I like to recommend persevering with your stroll throughout Tower Bridge and going to Bermondsey Road. It is a native favourite, and there are many nice pubs and eating places to select from. Whether or not you need tapas or fish and chips, yow will discover it right here.
Day 3 in London: Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge & South Kensington
Begin the third of your 9 days in London in Belgravia. This elegant neighborhood is stuffed with cafes and outlets, significantly these on Elizabeth Road.
You’ll be able to go on my free self-guided Belgravia strolling tour to see the highlights of the world, or simply stroll across the leafy squares and hidden mews. Highlights embrace Pimlico Highway (there’s a market right here on Saturdays), Motcomb Road, and Belgrave Sq..
From Belgravia, stroll over to Sloane Sq. and the King’s Highway in Chelsea. It is a excellent spot to buy and eat, and yow will discover lunch at any variety of eating places within the space.
If it’s a Saturday, the meals market in Duke of York Sq. is a should. If it’s not, there’s nonetheless rather a lot to do right here. The King’s Highway is without doubt one of the greatest buying streets in London, in spite of everything.
If you wish to, you may go on my free self-guided Chelsea stroll to see extra of the world’s aspect streets and riverfront.
From Chelsea, you can also make your approach as much as Knightsbridge for some buying at iconic shops like Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Alternatively, you may stroll over to South Kensington to discover the museums.
The Pure Historical past Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are proper subsequent to one another. All of them provide free entry, so you may spend as a lot or as little time exploring them as you’d prefer to. They’re all large, so be sure to tempo your self.
Within the night you may have dinner at one of many eating places exterior the South Kensington tube station. There are many completely different cuisines to select from, so that you’re certain to seek out one thing that appeals.
If you wish to finish your day in model, there’s enjoyable nightlife round Walton Road and the King’s Highway. From pubs to bars and golf equipment, you’ve plenty of choices.
Day 4 in London: Notting Hill, Royal Parks & the West Finish
The subsequent morning you may proceed your London itinerary for 9 days with a visit to Notting Hill. This west London neighborhood is stuffed with coloration. You’ll discover every part from the boutiques to the mews pleasant.
If it’s a Saturday, you’ll be capable of expertise the well-known Portobello Highway Market in all its glory. I like to recommend arriving early to keep away from the crowds.
If it’s not a Saturday, I nonetheless suggest going and testing the market stalls and outlets which might be open whenever you go to. There’s some type of market happening right here virtually on daily basis of the week.
Past the market, my free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is a good way to see the highlights of the world. It’s going to take you round to see every part from the excessive streets to the hidden corners.
You’ll be able to have lunch in Notting Hill, then stroll down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the afternoon. There’s a lot to see and do right here, from Kensington Palace to the Serpentine lake and the artwork galleries.
When the solar begins to sink, you may take the tube or stroll by Mayfair to get to Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re a few of the most fun locations in central London, and so they come alive within the evenings.
There are many good choices for consuming and consuming right here, and Trafalgar Sq., Piccadilly Circus, the Covent Backyard Piazza, and Leicester Sq. are all the time enjoyable locations to be in London at night time.
You’ll be able to have dinner within the West Finish earlier than or after going to see a present. Whether or not you dine at a beloved restaurant like Guidelines or at one of many many new ones opening on a regular basis, you may’t go improper on this a part of London.
There are all the time loads of performs and musicals on, and seeing one is a enjoyable strategy to cap off a day of exploring the UK capital. From dramas to comedies and farces, you’ll be spoiled for alternative on the subject of choices.
When you’re up for going out afterwards, there’s any variety of bars and pubs in Soho and Covent Backyard you may go to. They’re superb methods to expertise London’s thrilling nightlife scene.
My favourite is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy simply off Carnaby Road. It’s one in every of my high picks for travel-themed bars within the metropolis.
Day 5 in London: Day Journey
I like to recommend taking a day journey from London on the fifth of your 9 days in London. There are a great deal of locations close to town which might be value visiting, and so they’re simple to get to by practice, automobile, or on a guided tour.
If you wish to see traditional college cities, my high picks are Oxford and Cambridge. They’re two of the preferred days out from London.
If the seaside beckons, Brighton, Hastings, and Deal are my favourite locations to be by the water. All of them have loads of seashores, eating places, and outlets to take pleasure in. They’re simple day journeys from London by practice as effectively.
When you’re into castles, there are many castles close to London you may go to. From Windsor Fort to Leeds Fort, Scotney Fort, Warwick Fort, Hever Fort, and Dover Fort, there are a lot to select from. They’re a few of the greatest castles in England.
If you wish to tour historic mansions, there are many stately houses close to London you may go to. Downton Abbey followers will love touring Highclere Fort, and royal lovers will take pleasure in Polesden Lacey.
Then there are spectacular locations like Blenheim Palace, Petworth Home, Burghley Home, Knole in Sevenoaks, and Sissinghurst Fort with its well-known gardens.
When you’re a historical past buff, Winchester, Bathtub, Canterbury and Dover, Hampton Courtroom Palace, Lewes, Battle, Bletchley Park, and Amersham are for you. Amersham is so shut you may even get there on the tube.
When you dream of visiting the English countryside, a day journey to the Cotswolds is simply the factor. You’ll be able to go independently with or with no automobile, or on a guided day tour. You’ll be able to see choices and guide a tour right here.
There’s no scarcity of fairly cities and villages within the Cotswolds to go to. My favorites embrace Painswick, Bibury, Higher Slaughter, and Fort Combe, however it’s exhausting to go improper right here.
If cathedral cities pique your curiosity, my high picks are Canterbury in Kent, Norwich in Norfolk, York in Yorkshire, St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Ely in Cambridgeshire. All of them have historic church buildings and exquisite metropolis facilities.
When you’re feeling formidable, you may take a day journey to Paris from London. There are different day journeys from London to Europe that make for enjoyable adventures as effectively. From Brussels to Lille and Amsterdam, you’ve a lot of selections.
When you’re in search of seasonal journeys, you may check out my guides to spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London for concepts.
Day 6 in London: Hampstead, Camden City & King’s Cross
The subsequent morning you may proceed your London itinerary for 9 days with a visit to Hampstead. This north London neighborhood is my favourite place within the UK capital, not least as a result of it looks like a village within the metropolis.
With impossibly stunning streets, historic pubs, and one of many metropolis’s largest parks, it’s an thrilling place to discover. I lived right here for years and I nonetheless return as usually as I can.
When you’re right here you may stroll across the village by yourself, or go on my free self-guided Hampstead stroll or one in every of my Hampstead Heath walks.
I like to recommend having lunch at one of many native pubs or a restaurant on Hampstead Excessive Road. My favorites embrace the Holly Bush, Villa Bianca, and Jin Kichi. The crepe stands are enjoyable, too, however the traces will be lengthy and gradual.
After lunch, you may stroll or take the tube down the hill to Camden City. This place is house to numerous markets, together with Camden Market, Buck Road Market, and Hawley Wharf.
You’ll be able to browse the stalls when you’re right here. They’re good locations to purchase items and different issues to take house as souvenirs.
After the market, it’s enjoyable to stroll alongside Regent’s Canal to get to King’s Cross. The realm round Granary Sq. is full of cool outlets, eating places, bars, and cafes. It’s a very good place to get dinner.
If in case you have time earlier than or after you eat, you may stroll right down to the world’s beloved practice stations. King’s Cross is known for its beautiful inside structure and Harry Potter connections.
As soon as inside, you may take footage and movies on the Platform 9 3/4 signal or choose up a memento from the Harry Potter store proper subsequent to it.
Throughout the road from King’s Cross station you’ll discover St Pancras Worldwide. This place is thought for its beautiful exterior structure.
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s some of the stunning heritage buildings in London. There are nice outlets and eating places inside, too.
Coincidentally, St Pancras was additionally used as a filming location for one of many Harry Potter motion pictures. Yow will discover out which one in my weblog publish a couple of Harry Potter strolling tour.
If you wish to exit after exploring and consuming, there are many pubs and bars round right here. From those on Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross to native spots in close by Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, you’re spoiled for alternative.
Day 7 in London: St James’s, Mayfair & Marylebone
Begin the seventh of your 9 days in London in St James’s. This conventional a part of town is thought for its royal palace, males’s outlets, luxurious resorts, and members’ golf equipment.
When you’re right here, you may stroll down Jermyn Road and Piccadilly, admire the historic facade of St James’s Palace, and pop into iconic shops like Fortnum & Mason.
Once you’ve completed exploring, stroll throughout Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This upscale space is house to luxurious items outlets, fine-dining eating places, and the enduring curve of Regent Road (house of the well-known Liberty London). You’ll be able to go on my free Mayfair stroll if you wish to discover the world in depth.
Mayfair is a enjoyable place to have a meal or afternoon tea. Whether or not you go to an informal spot on Heddon Road or spring for a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you may’t go improper for lunch.
In terms of tea and cake, I really like Brown’s Resort afternoon tea and the wonderful yellow room at Sketch.
After consuming, you may head throughout Oxford Road to Marylebone. That is one other of my favourite London neighborhoods, not least as a result of it has among the finest excessive streets in London.
There are many enjoyable outlets on Marylebone Excessive Road, Marylebone Lane, and St Christopher’s Place, and so they’re enjoyable locations to get into London’s retail scene.
From boutiques to family names, you’re spoiled for alternative. My favourite place to buy in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s among the finest (and most stunning) unbiased bookshops in London.
If you wish to, you should utilize my free self-guided Marylebone stroll to see extra of the neighborhood. It’s going to take you round to hidden mews, aspect streets, grand squares, and gardens.
After you’ve seen Marylebone, make your approach north to Regent’s Park. This is without doubt one of the greatest inexperienced areas in London, and it’s a enjoyable place to stroll round. If it’s summer season, don’t miss the colourful rose gardens.
When sundown approaches, you may head again to Marylebone Excessive Road for dinner, or depart through one of many different exits of the park and eat in fairly Primrose Hill, enjoyable Camden City, or traditional Fitzrovia.
Day 8 in London: Greenwich or Day Journey
On the eighth of your 9 days in London I like to recommend both hopping on a ship to Greenwich or taking one other day journey.
When you select the previous, you may guide boat tickets right here. After seeing London’s landmarks alongside the river, you’ll be capable of dive into town’s maritime previous, see standard filming areas, tour a historic royal residence, and uncover the house of Greenwich Imply Time.
You’ll additionally be capable of benefit from the space’s outlets, cafes, and eating places. Greenwich Market has enjoyable souvenirs and scrumptious meals, and there are nice riverfront pubs within the space. The Trafalgar Tavern will get splashed with waves at excessive tide.
Greenwich is house to the Nationwide Maritime Museum the Queen’s Home, each of which supply free entry. The previous has world-class reveals and exhibitions, and the latter is a historic royal residence with an artwork assortment and a shocking staircase.
Greenwich Park is known for having among the finest views in London. You’ll be able to see by the 2 towers of the Previous Royal Naval Faculty to the skyscrapers in Canary Wharf on the opposite aspect of the river.
The park isn’t solely a phenomenal place to stroll, but in addition the situation of two vital landmarks. The primary is the Royal Observatory, the place you may stand with one foot on both aspect of the Prime Meridian. You’ll be able to guide tickets right here.
The second is Ranger’s Home, an English Heritage website and museum that’s identified for being a filming location for the TV present Bridgerton (it’s used because the entrance of the Bridgerton household’s home).
If you wish to see the aspect streets and hidden lanes, you may go on my free self-guided Greenwich stroll. It’s going to take you round to see the highlights of the neighborhood.
Within the night, you may have dinner at one of many many eating places and pubs in Greenwich earlier than heading again to central London on the practice, DLR, or boat.
Day 9 in London: Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Hackney
I like to recommend spending the final day of your 9-day London itinerary exploring extra of town heart and the East Finish.
Bloomsbury is an effective place to begin. You’ll be able to go to the enduring British Museum or simply stroll round taking within the leafy squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury stroll can assist you see one of the best of the world.
From there it’s a brief stroll to Clerkenwell. That is London’s design district, and it’s house to locations like Exmouth Market and St John Road. Each are nice locations to get one thing for lunch.
St John restaurant is a favourite of mine, as is the Fox & Anchor pub, which is simply across the nook.
You are able to do my Clerkenwell strolling tour if you wish to as effectively. It’s going to take you across the neighborhood and to locations like Smithfield and Holborn.
Clerkenwell is a brief stroll from Previous Road, the place you’ll quickly end up in Shoreditch. This hip space in east London is known for its nightlife scene, so in case you can time your arrival for dinner-and-drinks o’clock, you’ll get to see the neighborhood at its greatest.
If in case you have time beforehand, you are able to do one in every of my free self-guided Shoreditch walks or try the road artwork the world is thought for. My favourite is on New Inn Yard.
If in case you have vitality left later, head to Hackney. This is without doubt one of the coolest neighborhoods in London, and it has a enjoyable nightlife scene. The identical goes for close by Hackney Wick, which is without doubt one of the most hipster areas within the metropolis.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
I hope you’ve loved my 9-day London itinerary. That is an incredible metropolis, and there’s a lot to find right here. I’ve spent years dwelling within the UK capital, and I nonetheless don’t really feel like I’ve seen all of it.
If you would like extra inspiration, there’s much more about issues to do within the metropolis in Secret London – An Uncommon Information. You may get it on Amazon right here.
Discover this publish useful? Purchase me a espresso!
New right here? Be part of 1000’s of others and subscribe to the A Girl in London weblog through electronic mail.
A number of the hyperlinks on this weblog publish are affiliate hyperlinks. Without charge to you, I earn a small fee whenever you click on on them and make a purchase order. It doesn’t have an effect on the way in which you store, and it’s a good way to assist the A Girl in London weblog.
Pin it!